Upcoming Fall Festivals in Colorado

With the leaves already changing, another fun Colorado fall kicks off! The season runs from the Autumn Equinox on Tuesday, September 22nd, to Monday, December 21st, 2020, the day before the Winter Solstice.

Autumn is full of exciting festivals in Colorado, toasting an end to summer and welcoming the cooler fall weather. Aspens transition to shades of red and the beer gets darker. Rafts are traded for snow tubes, and hiking boots for ski boots. It’s an exciting time in the Centennial State!

Due to COVID-19, all of the upcoming events for the next several months are subject to cancellation or postponement. Please double-check the event’s official website for the most accurate, timely information on whether an event is happening.

2020 Annual Colorado Fall Festivals

A slew of Colorado Oktoberfests kicked off at the end of August and run through mid October. These are just a few of the libation filled festivals to warm you up. There’s also the Great American Beer Fest, Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival and Denver International Wine Festival.

Festivals in September

​Great American Beer Festival

• Date: Thur-Sat, September 24-26, 2020
• Address: Convention Center, Denver
• About: Now in its 34th year, GABF is one of the largest beer festivals in the US, with four sessions to choose from, and over 3500 beers.

Breckenridge Film Festival

• Date: Thur-Sun, September 24-27, 2020
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: 40th annual festival features a variety of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs and retrospectives; 70+ films, parties and forums.

Chile & Frijoles Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, September 25-27, 2020
• Address: Pueblo
• About: Annual three day pepper party held the third weekend after Labor Day. Farmers sell more than 50,000 pounds of peppers, including the Mirasol, a native to Pueblo region.

Aspen Filmfest

• Date: TBD
• Address: Aspen
• About: Aspen Film’s flagship event, the 41st annual Filmfest, showcasing narrative and documentary features, along with international independent films.

Loveland Stone Age Fair

• Date: TBD
• Address: Loveland
• About: Sponsored by the Loveland Archaeological Society, the fair features displays of prehistoric artifacts, skills demonstrations and lectures by archaeologists.

Festivals in October

Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering

• Date: Thur-Sun, October 1-4, 2020
• Address: Durango
• About: Celebrate the rich history of the American cowboy, with live performances, poets and musicians, now in its 32nd year.

Off-Grid Expo

• Date: Friday-Sunday, October 2-4, 2020
• Address: Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden
• About: Annual event for outdoor enthusiasts to interact with and buy the latest gear related to off-grid living and activities.

Elk Fest

• Date: Sat-Sun, October 3-4, 2020
• Address: Bond Park, Estes Park
• About: Fall festival celebrating the annual elk “rut” in its 22nd year. Events include a Mountain Man Rendezvous, Native American music and dancing, a bugling contest, elk seminars and exhibits, as well as food and craft vendors. There’s also an elk-viewing bus.

Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival

• Date: Fri-Sun, Oct 9-11, 2020
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: For the 10th year enjoy live music, regional liquor and food. Events include Poker Run, Historic Saloon Walking Tour, Breckenridge Distillery Tours, Honey Gitters live show at the historic Gold Pan Saloon and Hangover Brunch.

Knock Your Boots Off Beer Tasting & Chili Cook-Off

• Date: TBD
• Address: Golden
• About: 13th annual chili competition featuring bottomless craft beer and chili tastings.

Wine In The Pines

• Date: Fri-Sat, October 23-24, 2020
• Address: Keystone
• About: Summit County’s premier wine festival is now in its 37th year. Enjoy exquisite wine paired with savory cuisine.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races & Parade

• Date: Sat, October 24, 2020
• Address: Manitou Springs
• About: Starts with a parade through town followed by coffin races. 26th annual, coffin races are teams of four pall bearers and one “Emma”. The races have been covered nationally by the Travel Channel. They are usually held the last Saturday in October, annually since 1995.

Handmade In Colorado Expo

• Date: October 24-25, 2020
• Address: Central Park, Boulder
• About: 13th annual art event held over three weekends at three different venues showcasing various creations from Colorado artists.

Festivals in November

All Colorado Beer Festival

• Date: TBD
• Address: Colorado Springs
• About: 13th annual big beer festival that raised $70,000 for charities at a previous year’s event. It features more than 80 Colorado brewers.

Evergreen Winterfest

• Date: TBD
• Address: Evergreen
• About: Community arts festival showcasing handmade gifts along “Main Street” inside Evergreen High School.

Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show

• Date: Friday-Sunday, November 6-8, and November 13-15, 2020
• Address: Denver and Colorado Springs
• About: This Christmas themed event is held over two weekends, the first of which is at the Denver Mart and the second at the Colorado Springs Event Center. Explore the more than 450 and 250 booths, respectively, of arts, crafts and gifts from local vendors. Santa will be on-site at both locations, so bring the kids!

Denver International Wine Festival

• Date: Wed-Fri, November 11-13, 2020
• Address: Denver Marriott Westminster
• About: 16th annual celebration of international food and wine.

Denver Christkindl Market

• Date: Friday-Wednesday, November 20-December 23, 2020
• Address: 1515 Arapahoe St, Denver
• About: 20th year for the month long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German tradition with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks and an artisan marketplace.

Festivals in December

Denver Christkindl Market

• Date: Friday-Wednesday, November 20-December 23, 2020
• Address: 1515 Arapahoe St, Denver
• About: 20th year for the month long Christkindl Market in downtown Denver. Experience old German tradition with authentic cuisine, live music, holiday drinks and an artisan marketplace.

Georgetown Christmas Market

• Date: Weekends, TBD, 10am-5pm
• Address: 6th Street, Georgetown
• About: 61st annual Christmas Market is held on the first two Saturday’s and Sunday’s in December. Celebrations include an outdoor European marketplace, holiday entertainment, horse-drawn wagon rides, Saint Nicholas, Christmas museum tours, high tea at Grace Hall, wassail crawl, hot roasted chestnuts and Santa Lucia Children’s Procession.

Dillon Ice Castles

• Date: December thru early March
• Address: Dillon Town Park, 120 Buffalo Street, Dillon
• About: Professional ice artists create dazzling displays every winter in Dillon. It’s lit up at night for a spectacular attraction in popular Summit County. It’s held all winter long, cold weather pending.

Ullr Fest

• Date: Wed-Sat, December 9-12, 2020
• Address: Breckenridge
• About: Festival celebrating the winter god of Norse mythology, now in its 58th year. Shenanigans include frying pans, viking hats, Ullympic competitions and a floats parade.

​Vail Snow Days

• Date: TBD
• Address: Vail
• About: Formerly Snow Daze, Snow Days kick offs the 55th winter season at Vail, featuring live concerts from top performers.

Thanks for checking out some of the great fall festivals in Colorado! Enjoy the good times and the changing of seasons.